FIFA World Cup 2018: Ronaldo departs Morocco by 1-0

Venue: Luzhniki Stadium

Portugal     –     Morroco

        1             –           0

Ball possession

Portugal  –  Morocco

 47%           –     53%

Portugal- Starting XI (4-4-2)

Patricio, Cedric, Pepe, J.Fonte, R.Guerreiro, B.Silva, J.Moutinho, W.Carvalho, J.Mario, Goncalo Guedes, C.Ronaldo

Morocco- Starting XI (4-2-3-1)

Munir, A.Hakimi, M.da.Costa, M.Benatia, N.Dirar, M.Boussoufa, K.El Ahmadi, H.Ziyech, Y.Belhanda, N.Amrabat, K.Boutaib.

Story before the match

Morocco has a scintillating history against Portugal, in 1986 World Cup they outclassed Portugal by 3-1 that was the last time when they met in the group stage, but at that time Portugal was Ronaldo-less. If we talk about Portugal’s form in World Cup then in the last ten matches, Portugal lost only one game against Germany (4-1), winning five and four drawn.

First Half: Ronaldo, being Ronaldo!

This game has seen just 3 minutes of action and Portugal’s talismanic striker Ronaldo fired a goal; it was a quick header perfectly assisted by J. Moutino. He has now scored 85 international goals in which 4 of it came out in FIFA World Cup 2018. He is currently the leading goal scorer of the tournament. Later on, one more shot on target was attempted by Portugal, and that was the first shot which was not tried by Ronaldo. The scoreline was 1-0 and predictions have started favouring Portugal. Now there is a stat which recites the same story, whenever Portugal leads in the first half, they never lost that world cup match same goes with Morocco they had never won a game when they were trailing in the first half.

Stats of the First Half

Portugal                                         Morocco

   5                    Shots                          7     

   2                   Shots On-target       2     

49%                Possession              51%

  8                    Fouls                         11

  3                    Corner                       3    

  0                    Yellow card              1

Second half:  Morocco, Struggling phase on!

The second half started with the hope of Morocco scoring at least a goal to equalise the scoreline but it all ended up against their desire even they tried well by attempting four shots on target in the second half more than they attempted in their previous game against Iran (3). As if now some stats have got their life extended especially for Portugal, they have never lost against non-European nation in World Cup since 2002.  It all ended up well for Portugal as they departed Morocco out of the world cup. Now the 32 contenders have become 31 to win the trophy.

Stats of the match

Portugal                                         Morocco

3                       Shots                           3     

2                       Shots On-target      4     

47%                 Possession               53%

19                     Fouls                          23      

5                       Corner                        7     

1                       Yellow card                1

The scenario of Group – H

Portugal is now leading the pack with 4 points followed by Iran with three points and spain by 1 point. Morocco is out of the world cup which is a harsh ending of their campaign as ronaldo do it all against their desire.